Applied aspects of Rhodococcus genetics

Eubacteria of the genus Rhodococcus are a diverse group of microorganisms c ommonly found in many environmental niches from soils to seawaters and as p lant and animal pathogens. They exhibit a remarkable ability to degrade man y organic compounds and their economic importance is becoming increasingly apparent. Although their genetic organisation is still far from understood, there have been many advances in recent years. Reviewed here is the curren t knowledge of rhodococci relating to gene transfer, recombination, plasmid replication and functions, cloning vectors and reporter genes, gene expres sion and its control, bacteriophages, insertion sequences and genomic rearr angements. Further fundamental studies of Rhodococcus genetics and the appl ication of genetic techniques to the these bacteria will be needed for thei r continued biotechnological exploitation.